Published: Friday, November 9, 2012 at 7:05 p.m.

Last Modified: Friday, November 9, 2012 at 7:05 p.m.

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Filmmakers go to film festivals to celebrate and interact with other filmmakers.

At least that's part of the reason 26-year-old director Bruno Mello flew all the way from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, to attend this year's 18th annual Cucalorus Film Festival in downtown Wilmington.

Mello's short film, "In Passing," is a "bittersweet" drama about a guy with Narcolepsy.

"I'm interested in all of the shorts, the features and the documentaries," Mello said in between screenings Friday afternoon. "I'd like to see the Works in Progress program. And meet new filmmakers. Really, I want to do it all."

On Friday, Mello joined scores of other filmmakers from around the country and the world at the Cucalorus filmmakers lounge at Thalian Hall.

Here's what some of them had to say about their time at Cucalorus so far:

Josh Koury

Director

Hometown: Brooklyn, N.Y.

Cucalorus entry: Koury and co-director Myles Kane helm a "Journey to Planet X," a documentary about Eric Swain and Troy Bernier, who are scientists by day and amateur filmmakers by night. It follows the filming of "Planet X," the duo's most ambitious endeavor to date, and sheds light on their "charming, beautiful and strange" brand of movie magic. Koury, a faculty member at the Pratt Institute, previously directed the Harry Potter fandom doc "We Are Wizards."

Thoughts on Cucalorus: "Wilmington has a cozy, artsy vibe and Cucalorus is a good festival. You want to feel like you're going to have a good screening – you don't have to kill it, but you want a good crowd. Part of the filmmaking process is seeing an audience react to your work – you want to feel like it's worth coming."

Jennymarie Jemison

Actress, writer, producer

Hometown: Austin, Texas

Cucalorus entry: In "The Quiet Girl's Guide to Violence" Holly (Jemison) is a victim of childhood bullying who decides she will no longer suffer silently. A dark comedic tale of revenge and Christmas. The concept originated from an episode of "Project Rant," a webseries in which actors perform Craigslist-style Internet posts by real people as monologues.

"‘The Quiet Girl's Guide to Violence' is the first time I've produced," Jemison said. "I've been an actor in lots of films, but I really feel like this one is my baby. I had a lot more control. I'm hoping there's no crickets; I hope people get it."

Screening: 10:30 p.m. Sat. at Thalian Hall, 310 Chestnut St.

Jemison's Watchlist: Jemison says she's looking forward to seeing "lots" of Cucalorus entries. "I saw ‘Starbuck.' I didn't know anything about it, and ended up loving it. I've learned that you have to go with the flow at film festivals. Prioritize some things and let the rest be happy accidents."

Thoughts on Cucalorus: "We've mostly been to genre film festivals, like Fantasic Fest (a horror, fantasy and sci-fi film festival), and so this is a wider audience. They're not expecting a certain genre of film, so I'm hoping for some weirdos – like myself – in the audience."

Adam Donaghey

Producer, production manager, actor

Hometown, Dallas, Texas

Cucalorus entry: Donaghey associate produced and served as unit production manager on "Saturday Morning Massacre," a dark and bloody parody about a Scooby-Doo-like team of paranormal investigators and their devoted dog. The film, directed by Spencer Parsons, premiered at the 2012 Los Angeles Film Festival and has earned mixed reviews for its lack of consistency of style and tone.

Thoughts on Cucalorus: "I like (Cucalorus director) Dan Brawley. He's a free spirited, genuine person who likes quality films. The volunteers are excellent, the programming is riskier than larger film festivals and Cucalorus is devoted to showcasing the region and Wilmington. It's clear and obvious that there's a lot of community support."

<p>Filmmakers go to film festivals to celebrate and interact with other filmmakers. </p><p>At least that's part of the reason 26-year-old director Bruno Mello flew all the way from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, to attend this year's 18th annual <a href="http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/topic23"><b>Cucalorus</b></a> Film Festival in downtown Wilmington.</p><p>Mello's short film, "In Passing," is a "bittersweet" drama about a guy with Narcolepsy. </p><p>"I'm interested in all of the shorts, the features and the documentaries," Mello said in between screenings Friday afternoon. "I'd like to see the Works in Progress program. And meet new filmmakers. Really, I want to do it all."</p><p>On Friday, Mello joined scores of other filmmakers from around the country and the world at the Cucalorus filmmakers lounge at <a href="http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/topic9941"><b>Thalian Hall</b></a>.</p><p>Here's what some of them had to say about their time at Cucalorus so far:</p><p>Josh Koury</p><p>Director</p><p>Hometown: Brooklyn, N.Y.</p><p>Cucalorus entry: Koury and co-director Myles Kane helm a "Journey to Planet X," a documentary about Eric Swain and Troy Bernier, who are scientists by day and amateur filmmakers by night. It follows the filming of "Planet X," the duo's most ambitious endeavor to date, and sheds light on their "charming, beautiful and strange" brand of movie magic. Koury, a faculty member at the Pratt Institute, previously directed the Harry Potter fandom doc "We Are Wizards."</p><p>Screening: 7:30 p.m., Sat. at Thalian Hall, 310 Chestnut St.</p><p>Koury's Watchlist: Feature romantic comedy "Missed Connections" and feature comedy "Somebody up There Likes Me" (4:00 p.m. Sat. and 4:30 p.m. Sunday at Thalian Hall).</p><p>Thoughts on Cucalorus: "Wilmington has a cozy, artsy vibe and Cucalorus is a good festival. You want to feel like you're going to have a good screening – you don't have to kill it, but you want a good crowd. Part of the filmmaking process is seeing an audience react to your work – you want to feel like it's worth coming."</p><p>Jennymarie Jemison</p><p>Actress, writer, producer</p><p>Hometown: Austin, Texas</p><p>Cucalorus entry: In "The Quiet Girl's Guide to Violence" Holly (Jemison) is a victim of childhood bullying who decides she will no longer suffer silently. A dark comedic tale of revenge and <a href="http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/holidays02"><b>Christmas</b></a>. The concept originated from an episode of "Project Rant," a webseries in which actors perform Craigslist-style Internet posts by real people as monologues. </p><p>"'The Quiet Girl's Guide to Violence' is the first time I've produced," Jemison said. "I've been an actor in lots of films, but I really feel like this one is my baby. I had a lot more control. I'm hoping there's no crickets; I hope people get it."</p><p>Screening: 10:30 p.m. Sat. at Thalian Hall, 310 Chestnut St.</p><p>Jemison's Watchlist: Jemison says she's looking forward to seeing "lots" of Cucalorus entries. "I saw 'Starbuck.' I didn't know anything about it, and ended up loving it. I've learned that you have to go with the flow at film festivals. Prioritize some things and let the rest be happy accidents."</p><p>Thoughts on Cucalorus: "We've mostly been to genre film festivals, like Fantasic Fest (a horror, fantasy and sci-fi film festival), and so this is a wider audience. They're not expecting a certain genre of film, so I'm hoping for some weirdos – like myself – in the audience."</p><p>Adam Donaghey</p><p>Producer, production manager, actor</p><p>Hometown, Dallas, Texas</p><p>Cucalorus entry: Donaghey associate produced and served as unit production manager on "Saturday Morning Massacre," a dark and bloody parody about a Scooby-Doo-like team of paranormal investigators and their devoted dog. The film, directed by Spencer Parsons, premiered at the 2012 Los Angeles Film Festival and has earned mixed reviews for its lack of consistency of style and tone.</p><p>Screening: 10:30 p.m. Friday, Jengo's Playhouse, 815 Princess St.</p><p>Donaghey's Watchlist: "Holy Motors," (a feature from French director Leos Carax) was fantastic."</p><p>Thoughts on Cucalorus: "I like (Cucalorus director) Dan Brawley. He's a free spirited, genuine person who likes quality films. The volunteers are excellent, the programming is riskier than larger film festivals and Cucalorus is devoted to showcasing the region and Wilmington. It's clear and obvious that there's a lot of community support."</p><p><i></p><p>Cassie Foss: 343-2365</p><p>On <a href="http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/news41"><b>Twitter</b></a>: @WilmOnFilm</i></p>